A Lorcha

289 Rua do Almirante Sergio, Macau
Visited 30th March 2009

There are a few essentials for any trip to Macau - purchasing more bottles of Portuguese wine than I need, stocking up on coffee at Chip Seng and of course a good feed of Portuguese food. So an after work jaunt across the Pearl River to make the most of an opportunity to see visiting friends made for a hectic Monday night. After hurriedly buying the coffee and wine I found my mates indulging in an all you can drink deal at a bar in the Venetian. When I eventually managed to drag them to A Lorcha for a late dinner food was very much a priority. Tucked away near the A-Ma Temple at the bottom of mainland Macau this established restaurant has the a real taverna feel with bare brick walls, checked table clothes and exposed wood beams.

By the time we were seated the kitchen was about to shut so serves of chouriço and cod cakes were quickly ordered. The fatty chouriço was spiced with paprika and really tasty. The three cod cakes were good; though perhaps a little heavy on the potato, they could have been a more "fishy". For mains crabs were requested so we ordered a serve of seafood rice, alongside 'frango assado' or spicy grilled chicken, 'lulas recheadas' or stuffed squid and a mixed salad. This excessive pile of grub of course came with the usual super crusty bread. I loved the stuffed squid; instead of being filled with the usual rice these tasty, tender little critters were packed with an intense juicy, meat based filling. The grilled chicken was good with a lovely charcoal flavour alongside a spicy kick. Served in a clay pot, the wet seafood rice had plenty of fishy delights, including a whole crab, and was a hearty, nourishing dish. To drink we sucked on a refreshing bottle of Aveleda Vinho Verde that while probably wasn't needed, was a steal at MOP 98.

On our Monday night visit I was impressed by the staff who were friendly and tolerant, especially seeing we staggered in late and a little tipsy. Our meal came to MOP200 a head and that seems like fair value; especially as we ordered way too much and walked out as stuffed as those tasty little squid. The only real concern I have is having to pay for bottled water; at MOP20 for a big bottle it's not the expense but the environmental impact that I object to. I like A Lorcha and it does everything it's supposed to by offering tasty and authentic Portuguese food at fair prices.